JCC The Official Craft Beer/Microbrew Beer Thread

It's been pretty humid in State College the last few weeks, and today was no different, so I decided to have a "summer" beer tonight.

Had the [link=http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/302/57017]Dundee - Kolsch-Style Ale[/link] (see link at left for Beer Advocate profile). Pretty good. It's a keeper. Definitely see why it is considered a summer beer. It was very crisp and refreshing. For whatever reason, when I saw the Sam Adam's Summer Variety Pack (which I never ended up getting) had this beer called "Kolsch," I was intrigued. It reminded me, of all things, of a custom map for Day of Defeat: Source of the same name and I wanted to try it. I'm glad I was able to find a Kolsch-style at Wegman's.

I was shocked to get my hands on a pumpkin beer this early. But I lucked out and found some Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale. It was very very good. I am not sure which I like better, that or the Shipyard Pugsly Smashed Pumpkin. But the Weyerbacher had really good pumpkin flavor and the spices were secondary, which is a nice change. Also I believe it was a 9% abv (?).

Last night I tried a bottle of Cigar City Bolita Double Nut Brown Ale. It was very similar to the Maduro in flavor but a bit darker and at 9% abv it had a bit more of an alchohol taste. but a very good brown ale if that is your thing. I would recommend.

It's Belgian Independence Day, look at the lineup I get to choose from tonight! I can't wait!

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Although even most Belgians are apparently unaware of this fact, 21st of July is not our 'independence day' (That would probably be the 4th of October). It is Belgium's national 'national celebration' day, and thus it fulfills a similar function to the 4th in the USA and the 14th in France, for example, but it in fact refers to the day that King Leopold I of Belgium took his constitutional oath before Parliament in 1831, nearly a year after the revolution (he had been declared 'King' on the 4th of June.

Oh Yuengling how I miss you so, my favorite chilling beer. I had the Troegenator tonight for the first time. It was really tasty. So much that I had 5 I'm such a light weight. I actually feel really buzzed right now.

I picked up some Great Lakes Edmund Fitgeralds. It's very good - a bit smoky and dark, but very tasty.

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Well... isn't that a... uh... morbid name for a beer. Yikes.

Might have to try it.

Rox said:

Oh Yuengling how I miss you so, my favorite chilling beer. I had the Troegenator tonight for the first time. It was really tasty. So much that I had 5 I'm such a light weight. I actually feel really buzzed right now.

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Yuengling is my favorite beer that I'd buy in a large case for a party or something (not that I drink that much). Definitely a Pennsylvania favorite.

Also, glad you liked the Troegenator. I had that a couple months ago. Pretty good.

I haven't seen the Troegenator down here in Orlando. But I have a beer friend in Pittsburgh that is going to be sending me a few brews and swag, she works at a beer bar, and I will see if I can get her to send me some of that as well. Sounds great.

I picked up some Great Lakes Edmund Fitgeralds. It's very good - a bit smoky and dark, but very tasty.

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I was just coming here to post about this beer This is my go-to beer, possibly my favorite out of all that I've tried. I love the slight chocolate & coffee notes [& I'm a bit of a nerd & did research on the Edmund Fitzgerald years ago & became absolutely fascinated with the shipwreck ]. I brought my own 6 pack to my sister's grad party & had to fight off a few relatives, haha.

Dogfish Head World Wide Stout - Not your typical stout, I thought it tasted a but medicinal and a huge alcohol burn, later I found out it is an 18% abv, so that explains it.

Ommegange Limited Edition Aphrodite - Really tart and refreshing. Red belgian style with raspberry and pear. I didn't really taste the pear but the raspberry after taste was awesome. One of the best beers I have ever had.

Tripel Karmeliet - Wonderful floral aroma. Nice sweet taste with hints of citrus and spices, if I had one complaint there was a little too much carbonation, but still a great beer.

Isn't Blue Moon just a Belgian inspired beer brewed at the Coors Brewery?

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Yup. And I like it.

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I like it too, but I am annoyed by the way they effectively attempt to hide their true background and status as a brewer. Wikipedia sums it up well with this: "Coors does not actively advertise the fact that the brew is owned by Coors on the belief that being associated with a major national brewery would diminish its credibility among aficionados. Blue Moon is instead branded as being brewed by the 'Blue Moon Brewing Company'." Pretty funny... the Blue Moon Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado.